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Biore vs SK-II

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

Biore and SK-II are Japanese skincare brands founded in 1980 that offer distinct paths to a balanced and refreshed complexion. Biore is beloved for thoughtful sunscreens, cleansers, masks, and makeup removers that suit sensitive skin and oily skin best, while SK-II is adored for luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, soothing masks, and refreshing toners anchored by the signature ingredient pitera to suit dry skin and combination skin best. Both brands approach everyday care through effective, gentle formulations, yet they differ in their core offerings and ideal skin types.

Biore is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by Kao Corporation.

biore.comkao.com

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

This page compares some of the most popular Biore and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Biore vs SK-II products

People Say

BioreSK-II
  • Lightweight and watery texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “melts into skin — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • Effective debris and deep clean removal Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “Gets the gunk out — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
    • “Face feels squeaky clean — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
  • Makeup base and removal Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “primer-like — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
    • “Removes waterproof mascara, eyeliner, foundation. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • Radiance and glow Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “My skin is glowing now. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • Clear complexion and gentle rinse Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “No greasy film, leaves skin fresh, rinses easily. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
    • “Helped clear my blackheads — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
    • “Leaves skin soft, doesn't dry out face. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
    • “Emulsifies well, rinses off completely, leaves no oily residue. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • Hydrating and dewy finish Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “feels like a moisturizer — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
    • “Leaves skin soft, feels moisturized, does not dry out skin. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
    • “balanced my oily T-zone — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Exorbitant and high price Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Strong alcohol or unpleasant scent Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like alcohol — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Inconsistent or poor performance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Doesn't get all blackheads — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
    • “Doesn't contour to crevices — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “No visible difference — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Skin irritation and redness Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Face burns — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “Nose was irritated — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”

Biore vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy SK-II routine · CA$783.50 · 93% fitBuy Biore routine · CA$305.06 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Biore vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · CA$1,101.33 · 91% fitBuy Biore routine · CA$291.34 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Biore vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · CA$1,065.33 · 93% fitBuy Biore routine · CA$273.42 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Biore or SK-II: which is better?

When comparing Biore and SK-II, both brands offer products on this page with no fragrance in their ingredients, but they serve different strengths and routine fits. Reviewers note that Biore does better for effective debris and deep clean removal, while SK-II does better for radiance and glow. Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as High for Biore and Superior for SK-II.

What is the difference between Biore and SK-II?

Biore and SK-II are both Japanese skincare brands founded in 1980, but Biore is owned by Kao Corporation while SK-II is owned by The Procter & Gamble Company. For routine fit, Lovi rates SK-II as Superior for dry skin, oily skin, acne-prone skin, and dry sensitive skin, whereas Biore is rated High for those skin types.

Biore or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, both brands work well, with Lovi giving SK-II a Superior routine fit and Biore a High routine fit. The products on this page for SK-II include options like Facial Treatment Essence which has a High Lovi fit for dry skin.

Which is more affordable, Biore or SK-II?

Biore is the more affordable option, while SK-II is known for having an exorbitant and high price.

How do the founding years and corporate parent companies of Biore and SK-II compare?

Both Biore and SK-II were founded in Japan in 1980. Biore is owned by Kao Corporation, while SK-II has been owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

Which brand performs better for providing radiance and glow versus effective deep clean removal?

For radiance and glow, SK-II performs better as noted in the review themes. On the other hand, Biore does better for providing effective debris and deep clean removal among the products on this page.

What are the key ingredients featured across SK-II products compared to Biore?

SK-II products feature Pitera as a key ingredient across the range, whereas the products on this page for Biore do not specify a signature core ingredient in the same way. Every product from both brands on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Biore or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, both Biore and SK-II are great choices, as Lovi rates Biore's routine High and SK-II's routine Superior. SK-II features key ingredients like Pitera across its products on this page, while every product on this page for both brands lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Biore or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, both Biore and SK-II achieve a High fit on Lovi. Reviewers note that Biore does better for an effective debris and deep clean removal, while SK-II features key ingredients like Pitera across the products on this page.

Biore or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, SK-II achieves a Superior routine fit, whereas the products on this page by Biore achieve a High routine fit.

Research behind their key ingredients

Behind this comparison

Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

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